Council powers strengthened on stopping fast food outlets near schools
It reports that the rules introduce much stronger restrictions on where new takeaways can open.
Until now the rules required councils only to ‘enable and support healthy lifestyles’, while now they should ‘prioritise preventing ill health’.
In particular, the new framework says local planning authorities should turn down applications for new fast-food outlets ‘within walking distance of schools’, unless they are in a town centre. They also ought to consider refusing applications in locations where there is evidence that a concentration of takeaways ‘is having an adverse impact on local health’, reports The Times.
Andrew Gwynne, minister for public health and prevention, said: “Every child deserves a healthy, happy start to life. Giving local authorities the powers to block applications for unhealthy takeaways near schools puts children’s health first and stops fast-food giants targeting pupils. This is just one action we are taking to give children the best start in life and protect their health.”
School meals organisation LACA has issued a statement in response: “We have long called for local authorities to have the power to stop the proliferation of fast-food outlets near schools.
“Too many children are foregoing a hot, healthy school meal for an unhealthy takeaway, often enticed by promotions and deals. We welcome the fact that councils in England now have the power to stop this.”